Snakes, the very word brings images of slithering reptiles to mind. It can be very nerve wracking to step out into the yard to do some work when you've seen a snake in your yard. If you have chickens, it can make you even more nervous, snakes love baby chicks and fresh eggs.

To make matters worse, the more vegetation you have in your yard, the more likely you are to have snakes. And whilst most of these reptiles aren't venomous, a visit from a snake can scare chickens, other pets and also anyone else around.

8 Ways to Keep Snakes Away From Your House

Method

$

Ease Of Use

Success Rate

Availability

Keep Yard Tidy

$

★★★★★

★★★★★

Yourself or Help

Chemical Repellents

$ to $$$$

★★★

★★★

Online or home improvement store

Ultra Sonic

$$$$

★★★

★★★★

Online or home improvement store

Vibration Repellers

$$$$

★★★

★★★

Online or home improvement store

Sulfur Powder

$$

★★★

★★★

Online or home improvement store

Snake Traps

$$$

★★★

★★★★

Online or home improvement store

Seal Off Entries

$$

★★★

★★★★

Yourself or Help

Snake Fences

$ to $$$$$

★★★

★★★★★

Online or home improvement store or build it yourself

Remember, many of the above mentioned traps are not friendly for chickens. Be sure that if you're using a trap you keep it a safe distance from your chicken coop or make sure that it's safe for use around chickens.

All of the above mentioned in the table work well no matter if you're in the city or a rural or suburban area. However, if you're living in a city you may not be able to use the vibrations as readily.

5 Things You Can Do Today to Keep Snakes Away From Your Yard

- Look Your Property Over

Snakes have preferences on where they live just like you do. They tend to prefer tall vegetation with plenty of cover and lots of room to maneuver.

They also like to know that there is plenty of food in and around your yard. Snakes like eating rodents, insects and the like and they will take full advantage of your yard if you have any of these issues.

Snakes also enjoy fresh eggs and baby chicks so be sure that the eggs and baby chicks are safe and secure from such predators.

Tips to Keep Your Yard Snake Free:​

Avoid Clutter in and around your yard. If you have old vehicles that are no longer running get them removed

Keep your yard mowed. Snakes like tall grass where there is plenty of cover and they can hide

​Although snakes themselves are predators, they are afraid of predatory birds and other animals that are large

Eliminate the habitat for other animals in your yard such as mice and rats and you've just eliminated the source of food for snakes

Remember that to a snake, a chicken coop looks like a delightful smorgasbord of offerings. Make it a bit less enticing by cleaning up around the area and putting up some barriers to the snakes entry into the chicken coop.

Pros:

This method works very well and puts the homeowner in charge of the situation.

Easy to check and maintain

Inexpensive to do

Cons:

You must be vigilant and keep your yard maintained, remove clutter as it appears and be aware of your yards condition at all times.

If you're not able to do the work you'll have to hire someone to do it for you.

- Chemical Snake Repellents

There are also chemical snake repellents however, depending upon their composition, they may pose a health risk to pets and people as well as the environment.

Be sure that repellents chosen are for snakes and always follow the instructions on the label.

In addition to using repellent, you'll have to be sure to follow the above instructions on the basement and your yard area.

Keep in mind that many chemical snake repellents may be hazardous to your baby chickens. Use these well away from your chicken coop and plan to use another method to keep snakes away from the coop itself to protect your chickens health.

Also keep your door sweeps and your window screens fitting properly. Be sure to cover other potential entries such as dryer vents, drains and other such openings to your home.

Pros:

Most repellents trigger avoidance in snakes because snakes don't like the scent or feeling of the repellent. They will try to avoid it.

Cons:

Depending upon the repellent you use you may have to reapply it if it rains or if he scent fades easily.

Always remember that snakes are simply seeking an easy meal. Your chickens and those fresh eggs will always be appealing to a snake so you'll want to ensure that you're taking care to protect your chicken coop from unexpected company as well as your yard.

- Snake Traps

There are two types of snake traps. Those that are lethal, and those that are not lethal. Lethal traps will grip the snakes body and kill the snake as it enters the trap head first

However, keep in mind as the snake slithers from one side to another the snake may be caught further down the body.

Snake traps work very well, however, you'll want to set them up where they won't be a danger to your baby chicks or any of your chickens.

Glue traps also work well. They will hold the snake whether it's venomous or not until you are able to release it. You can spray cooking oil onto the trap when you're ready to release the snake and it will be able to work itself free of the trap.

An important note is that snakes will actually help to keep insects and rodents out of your yard if you're having an issue with one type of predator consider what else may be going on that could be causing your issue.

Pros:

These work well and are easy to set up.

They are relatively inexpensive.

Cons:

However you're going to have to “empty” the trap when it's full so keep this in mind when you're approaching the trap. If the snake is alive it may be a bit more challenging depending upon how the snake is caught in the trap.

Remember, you can spray cooking oil spray on the glue to help the snake release itself so that you don't have to actually touch the snake, all you have to do is relocate the snake.

- Snake Fences

Hardware Cloth is a good inexpensive way to create a physical barrier to keep snakes out

How Does A Snake Fence Work?

Snake fences are barriers that keep snakes from going underneath of buildings and inside of gardens. They are made of materials that aren't easily moved and that don't have any large openings that the snake could squeeze through.

Snake fences can work as an ideal barrier to keep snakes away from your chicken coop. They offer a barrier that will help to protect the coop from such predators.

A popular choice is wire mesh as well as solid wood. Keep in mind that it doesn't take much room for a snake to squeeze through an opening. Thus, remember if you're using a fence, bury it several inches into the ground. When the soil erodes due to weather be sure to keep an eye on the soil and the fence levels.

Different regions may require different fencing materials. Some snakes are great climbers and the fencing may simply be a great climbing wall to them. Slope fences at an outward angle to help prevent snakes from entering into your yard or chicken coop.

Snake fences also help to keep snakes out of swimming pools and pond areas.

Pros:

These work very well to keep snakes out of your yard

Cons:

You're going to have to remember to keep them in good condition. If there is a breach in your fence you risk a snake in your yard or your chicken coop.

Cost (there are a variety of fencing options and your cost will be dependent upon your choice in fencing materials.

If you have a large yard, garden, pond or pool you're going to have to build a fairly large fence.

- Basement Sealer

The basement must also be sealed off to keep snakes out. If you have damage around your foundation or basement you need to repair it immediately to avoid snakes.

Be sure to locate your chicken coop away from such things as old foundations, basements and other structures that could lend themselves well to snake habitats.

If you have holes and cracks that will allow snakes into your home you're not going to be able to keep them out no matter how many traps you have set.

Consider mortar to fill in cracks. It will dry hard and rodents and snakes won't be able to enter that way.

Consider expanding foam if you have long cracks or even foam sealants work well.

It's usually an accident if a snake winds up in a basement. They much prefer to be able to get in and out of their den and it can be challenging for them to reside in your basement.

Inspect your home several times each year to ensure that there are no openings that a snake could enter through.

Pros:

This works very well as long as it's maintained.

Cons:

You must revisit your foundation and ensure that new cracks or holes don't appear. If they do appear you must seal them off quickly. Typically you'll have to check about three or four times per year to ensure that there aren't any potential snake entries to your home.

Cost will be dependent upon materials used to seal off holes or cracks.

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